Step-by-Step Treatment for Acne: From Causes to Scars and Prevention by a Dermatology Specialist at Wangsimni Station

From Acne to Scars: Step-by-Step Treatment

Hello, this is Raon Dermatology Clinic at Wangsimni Station.

Acne is more than a temporary skin issue; if it is not addressed at the right time, it can leave behind marks that are hard to erase. Because its appearance varies widely—from early inflammation to red marks and then pitted scars—an appropriate step-by-step approach based on the condition is essential! Uncontrolled squeezing or leaving it untreated can actually accelerate damage to the skin tissue and delay recovery. Therefore, it is most important to accurately identify the stage of inflammation your skin is currently experiencing and the extent of tissue damage, then create a treatment plan accordingly.

From Acne to Scars: Step-by-Step Treatment

The Progression of Acne

Acne begins inside the skin when excess sebum cannot be discharged smoothly out of the pores. The sebum that accumulates in the pores becomes food for inflammation, forms comedones, and then irritates the surrounding tissue, developing into a painful, pus-filled condition! If the activity of the sebaceous glands is not controlled while only the surface inflammation is calmed down, acne is likely to recur at any time. In the end, for a real solution, the first priority must be to directly target the abnormally activated sebaceous glands and normalize their secretion.

The red marks that remain where inflammation has subsided are the result of the skin temporarily increasing blood vessels in order to recover from the wound. However, if proper care is not provided during this period, the vascular dilation can become fixed or lead to melanin pigmentation, and in severe cases, scar tissue may form as fibrous skin tissue clumps together. Scars are deformities that appear when collagen is abnormally arranged or lost during the skin’s self-repair process. Since each stage is organically connected, not missing the golden time before symptoms worsen is the key to maintaining smooth skin texture!

The Progression of Acne

Treatment for the Cause of Acne

To reduce the frequency of acne, Gold PTT may be considered to suppress excessive sebum secretion. Gold PTT works by penetrating specially designed nano-gold particles into the sebaceous glands inside the pores and then applying a laser at a specific wavelength to selectively generate heat! The thermal energy destroys and reduces the activity of the sebaceous glands, helping regulate sebum production and making it effective in suppressing repeated acne outbreaks. A major advantage is that it causes little pain and minimal visible irritation, allowing treatment over a wide area without disrupting daily life!

Meanwhile, if inflammation is concentrated in a localized area or keeps recurring in a specific spot, Potenza sebaceous gland destruction may be an alternative. Potenza delivers radiofrequency energy directly to the dermal layer of the skin through fine needles, physically targeting the problematic sebaceous glands~ Although it is an invasive method, the depth of energy delivery can be finely controlled, so it can reduce damage to surrounding tissue while still providing a clear sebaceous gland-suppressing effect. It is easy to focus energy according to individual conditions, from small whiteheads to firm nodular acne :)

<Treatment for the Cause of Acne>

• Gold PTT: reduces sebum itself

• Lowers the frequency of acne outbreaks

• Potenza sebaceous gland destruction: whiteheads, nodular acne

• Helpful for suppressing localized inflammation

Treatment for the Cause of Acne

Treatment for Acne Marks

The redness left behind after acne is not simply a pigmentation issue, but rather a state in which abnormally expanded and increased blood vessels have gathered. Trying to resolve this with general brightening care would inevitably be inefficient, so DDR laser treatment, which acts directly on the blood vessels, is needed! DDR uses a 585nm wavelength that is highly absorbed by hemoglobin in the blood to constrict and destroy enlarged blood vessels. It not only quickly reduces redness by normalizing blood flow, but also plays a positive role in lowering inflammatory responses!

Another feature of the DDR laser is that it stimulates fibroblasts around the blood vessels and induces collagen synthesis. Beyond simply clarifying the color, it helps regenerate slightly damaged skin tissue and provides an effect on skin texture at the same time! It also has the advantage of causing little pain or surface irritation during treatment, making it suitable even for sensitive skin. Since it is a device specialized for vascular lesions, if you address red marks before they turn dark, you can regain a much cleaner and clearer skin tone :)

<Features of DDR Laser>

• Selective absorption by hemoglobin

• Helps reduce redness / supports skin regeneration

• Relatively little pain and skin irritation

Treatment for Acne Marks

Treatment for Acne Scars

​Acne scars that have already become indented or deformed require a combination treatment that breaks up tissue adhesions and fills in new skin. In particular, the method that combines Mirajet and Juvelook creates a very effective synergy for improving scars! Mirajet injects medication using a high-pressure microjet without needles, and the powerful pressure generated in this process produces a subcision effect that breaks apart the fibrous adhesions beneath hardened scars. With Juvelook, which promotes the regeneration of one’s own collagen, the empty space is then restored with natural volume!

If your concern is not deep pits but rather overall uneven skin texture, Re:surFX is a good option. Re:surFX is a non-ablative fractional laser that uses a 1,565nm wavelength, forming microscopic columns of heat deep within the dermis without injuring the skin surface~ As collagen and elastin undergo extensive remodeling around these columns of heat, the scar area gradually fills in. Compared with ablative methods, the recovery period is shorter and the return to daily life is faster, making it suitable for those with limited time to keep up with consistent care!

Treatment for Acne Scars

Preventing Acne

Preventing and maintaining acne are just as important as treatment, and for this, the pore environment must be kept clean through periodic peeling. A representative low-irritation peel, LHALA Peel, uses LHA ingredients to gradually dissolve proteins without forcibly stripping away the skin’s dead outer layer! Because it protects the skin barrier while removing waste inside the pores and balancing oil and moisture, it is suitable even for those with sensitive skin to receive regularly. By normalizing the skin’s exfoliation cycle, it can serve as a practical preventive measure that blocks the possibility of inflammation in advance!

If you want more direct removal of waste and debris, Aqua Peel can be an efficient alternative. Aqua Peel uses strong suction and three special solutions to effectively remove whiteheads, blackheads, and Demodex mites from the pores~ By clearing the pore passages, it helps sebum flow more smoothly and also supplies moisture, providing an immediate soothing effect. In this way, acne requires systematic care—from controlling current inflammation to scar regeneration and preventing recurrence. I hope today’s post was helpful for your skincare management, and I’ll wrap up here :)

<Preventing Acne>

• LHALA Peel: low-irritation peel based on LHA

• Minimizes damage to the skin barrier

• Aqua Peel: removes waste from pores / provides moisture

• Immediate soothing effect

Preventing Acne

Acne, a Step-by-Step Treatment Guide